Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 71

The weight of unspoken love 

Morning broke gently, painting the world in hues of gold and orange. The soft chirping of birds mingled with the buzzing alarm that stirred Seungkwan from his sleep. Groggily, he reached out to silence the noise, his mind still hazy. Then, as realization dawned, his eyes snapped open.

Today was important.

He grabbed his laptop from the side table, his fingers trembling slightly as he powered it on. A single notification blinked on the screen—the email he had been anxiously waiting for. His heart thudded loudly in his chest as he clicked it open, scanning the words that confirmed his acceptance to a prestigious arts program in New York.

Relief and anxiety collided within him. This was everything he had worked for, everything he dreamed of. Yet, it also meant leaving behind the family he had grown to cherish so deeply. With a frustrated groan, he buried his head in his hands, his mind racing. Finally, he grabbed his phone and dialed a familiar number.

"Hoshi hyung," he said, his voice steady despite the storm inside him. "I have something to announce. Get everyone to the mansion this evening." Without waiting for a reply, he hung up.

By evening, the SVT mansion buzzed with quiet curiosity. Everyone had gathered in the living room, their faces a mix of concern and anticipation. Seungkwan stood at the center, fidgeting nervously, his hands clammy as he tried to muster the courage to speak.

Jeonghan, always perceptive, broke the silence first. "Seungkwan, what's going on? You're making us all nervous," he said gently, a reassuring smile on his face.

Seungkwan took a deep breath, forcing himself to meet their expectant gazes. "I... I got an offer to continue my studies in arts," he began, his voice faltering for a moment before he added, "in New York."

The room erupted into a mix of cheers and exclamations.

"That's amazing!" Dino exclaimed, clapping his hands together in excitement.

"Congratulations, Seungkwan!" Joshua added, his grin wide and genuine.

Jun and Minghao shared an approving nod, while Seokmin practically tackled Seungkwan in a hug. "This is huge, Boo! You're going to be a star in New York!"

Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Vernon's expression remained stoic. His eyes, dark and searching, never left Seungkwan, who stood in the midst of the group, his smile strained.

Jeonghan's voice cut through the noise. "When do you leave?" he asked, his tone calm but tinged with sadness.

Seungkwan hesitated, his gaze falling to the floor. "In two weeks. The scholarship comes with a streamlined visa process, so I don't have much to prepare."

The room fell silent for a moment as everyone processed the news. Then, Seungcheol, standing beside Jeonghan, broke the quiet. "Then let's get married before he leaves," he announced with a determined smile.

The room froze for a second before bursting into cheers again.

"What?!" Jeonghan turned to Seungcheol, his face flushed with surprise.

"You heard me," Seungcheol said with a grin, taking Jeonghan's hand in his. "Let's not wait. You're my everything, and I want you to be my husband. We'll set the date for ten days from now. It'll be perfect."

Jeonghan's lips parted in astonishment before a wide smile spread across his face. "Cheollie..." he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.

"About time, hyung!" Mingyu teased, nudging Wonwoo, who smirked in agreement.